Hawaii plans to increase hotel tax to help it cope with climate change
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HONOLULU — In a first-of-its kind move, Hawaii lawmakers are ready to hike a tax imposed on travelers staying in hotels, vacation rentals and other short-term accommodations and earmark the new money for programs to cope with a warming planet. Limited time: Save 25% on NBC News subscription Get exclusive reporting, live Q&As and ad-free reading.
AI Summary
Main Idea: Hawaii lawmakers are set to raise the hotel tax, and Gov. Josh Green says the money will help the state pay for climate and wildfire protection.
Key Points:
- The bill would add 0.75% to the daily room tax starting Jan. 1 and is expected to pass.
- The higher tax would bring in about $100 million a year for projects like beach repair, roof upgrades, and removing fire-prone plants.
- Hawaii already has high lodging taxes, and the new rate would push the total tax burden on hotel stays to nearly 19%.
- State leaders say visitors should help pay for the cost of protecting Hawaii’s land, beaches, and communities from climate damage.
Impact on the People
Negative Impact
Hawaii’s higher hotel tax may raise costs for visitors and make trips more expensive, which could hurt tourism spending and nearby small businesses.
Positive Impact
Governor Josh Green and the Hawaii Legislature plan to use the new revenue for beach repair, wildfire prevention, and other climate projects that can protect residents and communities.
How did each entity affect people?
Rate how each entity in this article affected the American people.
- Primary:Governor Josh Greenperson
- Primary:Hawaiistate
Candidate Entities9 candidates · 5 weighted vote min · 70% decision
- Governor Josh GreenpersonPrimaryEvaluated
Central named official driving the tax proposal and saying he would sign it into law.
Include 0 (0%)Ignore 0 (0%)5 to threshold - HawaiistatePrimaryEvaluated
The state government is the main actor proposing and enacting the lodging tax increase.
Include 0 (0%)Ignore 0 (0%)5 to threshold - Hawaii Legislaturegovernment agency or bodyPrimaryAI selected
The legislature is scheduled to vote on the bill and is central to the policy action.
Include 0 (0%)Ignore 0 (0%)5 to threshold - Hawaii Hotel Allianceunion / trade associationMajorAI selected
Named industry trade association reacting to the tax increase on hotel operators.
Include 0 (0%)Ignore 0 (0%)5 to threshold - Care for Aina Nownonprofit / NGOContextCandidate
Advocacy group cited for estimating Hawaii’s conservation funding gap.
Include 0 (0%)Ignore 0 (0%)5 to threshold - Jerry GibsonpersonContextCandidate
President of the Hawaii Hotel Alliance and a notable quoted industry voice on the measure.
Include 0 (0%)Ignore 0 (0%)5 to threshold - Kāwika RileypersonContextCandidate
Member of the governor’s Climate Advisory Team quoted explaining the rationale for the tax.
Include 0 (0%)Ignore 0 (0%)5 to threshold
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